Long Weekends & Bridge Days 2026
A "bridge day" (German Brückentag, French pont, Italian ponte) is when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday — taking one day of leave gives you a four-day weekend. Plan your year smarter.
🇩🇪 Germany — best opportunities
May 14 (Thu) — Ascension
Take Friday May 15 off → 4 days free (Thu–Sun). Combine with May 1 (Fri, automatic 3-day weekend) for a smart May.
Oct 3 (Sat) — Unity Day
Falls on Saturday in 2026 — unfortunately no bridge opportunity this year. Make up for it elsewhere.
Christmas + New Year
Dec 25 (Fri) and Dec 26 (Sat) plus Jan 1 (Fri 2027). Take Dec 28–31 off → 10 days free for 4 days of leave.
🇦🇹 Austria — best opportunities
Jan 6 (Tue) — Epiphany
Take Monday Jan 5 off → 4 days free. Perfect for a winter ski trip.
May 14 (Thu) — Ascension
Take Friday May 15 off → 4 days free. Salzburg, Wachau, or south to Slovenia.
Jun 4 (Thu) — Corpus Christi
Take Friday Jun 5 off → 4 days free. Lake season opens.
Oct 26 (Mon) — National Day
Falls on Monday → 3 days free, no leave needed. Take Oct 27–30 off → 9 days.
🇮🇹 Italy — best opportunities
Jan 6 (Tue) — Epifania
Classic ponte dell'Epifania. Take Monday Jan 5 off → 4 days free.
Apr 25 (Sat) + May 1 (Fri)
Liberation Day on Saturday, Labour Day on Friday. Take Apr 27–30 off → 10 consecutive days off in late April.
Jun 2 (Tue) — Republic Day
Take Monday Jun 1 off → 4 days free. Beach season opens.
Aug 15 (Sat) — Ferragosto
The whole country shuts down for two weeks around this date. Don't try to do business in Italy mid-August.
🇫🇷 France — best opportunities
May 1 (Fri) + May 8 (Fri)
Two Fridays in a row are public holidays. Take May 4–7 off → 10 days free for 4 days of leave.
May 14 (Thu) — Ascension
Take Friday May 15 off → 4 days free. Or combine with the above for a glorious May.
Jul 14 (Tue) — Bastille Day
Take Monday Jul 13 off → 4 days free.
Nov 11 (Wed) — Armistice
Mid-week break. Take Nov 9–10 or 12–13 off for a 5-day weekend.
🇸🇮 Slovenia — best opportunities
Apr 27 (Mon) + May 1–2 (Fri–Sat)
Day of Uprising on Monday, then Labour Day weekend. Take Apr 28–30 off → 9 days free.
Jun 25 (Thu) — Statehood Day
Take Friday Jun 26 off → 4 days free. Coast or Bohinj weather is excellent in late June.
Oct 31 (Sat) + Nov 1 (Sun)
Reformation Day and Day of Remembrance fall on the weekend — but most schools and offices add the bridge. Check your employer.
Want destination ideas for these long weekends? See travel ideas around holidays.